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Many of Independence Plus, Inc.’s patients and staff know Zandra, RN, BSN, as a great nurse with a positive attitude and a calming bedside manner, focused on learning as much as she can in order to best care for her patients. After working with her and hearing everyone else’s feedback on who Zandra is and what she does, we decided to interview and then hire her as our new Home Nursing Residency Manager.
The word “choice” is something we often hear in conversations and news about the ever-changing world of healthcare. “Choice” relates to types of care, clinicians, insurance, cost, and so on. When it comes to home healthcare, the most basic decision is which provider you choose.
Two and a half years ago, Anna R., RN, was seeking a job that fit her love of caring for patients in the home setting. She was introduced to Independence Plus, Inc.’s (IPI) Home Nursing Residency program by a friend, and from there her sparkling personality and outstanding bedside manner made her a quick favorite of our patients. Now, after making the transition to IPI’s Home Nursing Clinical Management Team, Anna continues to care for her patients – many of whom she worked with in the field – from the office.
Three of the primary qualities I’m finding that are necessary to make it as a private duty nurse at Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) are: undeniable passion, inherent confidence, and a science-enthusiast mentality. The first quality is a no-brainer. Being passionate about advocacy, relationship-building, and ensuring that people receive the best care will only grow as we develop as nurses. The last two will be a constant learning experience as healthcare continues to evolve. As a nurse it is essential to know the science behind disease processes, clinical skills, and interventions. It is this foundation that influences patient outcomes and our confidence when providing life-saving care.
Three years ago Eric Von Schaumburg was at that sweet spot in life. He was 29 years-old with an amazing job, a wonderful girlfriend, and a future as bright as one could hope for. Then in early summer of 2013 he received the shocking news that he has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Faced with a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease that has little treatment option and no cure, the Chicago man says he spent a short amount of time coming to terms with the battle ahead of him, and then quickly turned his focus to doing whatever he could to inspire others.
When hearing or reading information about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), I am often reminded of how individuals are “rarely” affected by this disease. This is quite the contrary in my field of nursing. Being diagnosed with ALS is challenging, not just for the patient but also for surrounding loved ones. At times, patients with ALS are referred to as “difficult.” After having patients of my own with ALS, I found them to be misunderstood, just like their disease.
For nearly 30 years, Independence Plus, Inc. has been providing people with complex medical and respiratory needs the opportunity to live fulfilling lives at home.
One thing that makes IPI unique in the home health care field is that caring for our patients is extremely challenging. Our nurses become trained specialists in directly caring for adult and pediatric ventilator-dependent patients at home, many with rare diagnoses.
Not until witnessing many of the people surrounding me experience deaths in their family and recently experiencing a patient death of my own, did I understand how powerful grief can be. It also brings to my attention various stressors that are affiliated with the passing of a patient or loved one.
Caring for medically complex patients at home is extremely challenging—but we at Independence Plus love the opportunities to deliver complex clinical care while our patient is in their own home. We train RN’s and LPN’s to become specialists in directly caring for ventilator-dependent patients, many with rare diagnoses.
Home care nurses play a multifaceted role in their patients’ lives. When people are asked about their definition of home healthcare, the answers vary greatly. So what exactly is it?
Rowan, RN, has always known she wanted to become a nurse. After graduating from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she saw another learning opportunity in IPI’s year-long Home Nursing Residency Program. Now, just two months shy of completing the program, Rowan says she has learned a great deal from caring for medically complex, ventilator-dependent patients at home, and looks forward to a long career in nursing. We recently sat down with Rowan to find out about her time in the program, what she plans to do next, and what she has learned from her patients.
We’re expanding our services and offerings. We want you to be a part of the team that is delivering personalized, individual, people-focused skilled home healthcare to those in need. Come join us.